Multi-device supervisor support for self-checkout systems

ABSTRACT

A customer self-checkout system includes one or more checkout stations and multiple supervisor terminals. The supervisor terminals provide support to, and control over, the self-checkout system and checkout stations. The supervisory terminals may be wireless terminals that can capture self-checkout customer identification information including signatures, fingerprints, images, and other forms of identification.

CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/060,423, filed Jan. 30, 2002, and entitled“Multi-Device Supervisor Support For Self-Checkout Systems” and claimsthe benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional application serialNo. 60/266,000 which was filed on Feb. 1, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Over the past few decades, retail point-of-sale (“POS”) systemshave been greatly automated to expedite the checkout process.Computer-based POS systems are now common in the retail environment.Such systems include one or more checkout terminals (i.e., checkoutstations or computerized “cash” registers) and a database of prices,inventory and other information related to the items for purchase. Eachcheckout station typically includes a bar code scanner which can detecta machine readable bar code on the packaging to identify a scanned item.When an item is scanned, the scanner sends a signal corresponding to theproduct number of the item to a data processing component of the POSsystem, which then obtains from the database information relating to thescanned item such as price and description.

[0003] More recently, self-checkout systems (such as the U-Scan Express®available from Optimal Robotics Corp.) have come into use. Self-checkoutsystems include self-checkout stations (each of which typically includesa bar code scanner with an integrated scale) that allow customers toscan bar codes on the items they are purchasing. The checkout stationalso has other input and output devices (such as an alpha-numerickeypad, a video camera unit and a display). These systems allowcustomers to directly perform checkout activities such as scanningbarcoded items, selecting modes of payment (e.g., credit or debit card),carrying out payment using automated payment accepting means (e.g.,credit or debit card readers), and requesting explanations on how to usethe checkout station.

[0004] The self-checkout station may have a signaling device (e.g., acall button, an “Assist” key on a keypad, a phone, or other device) foruse by the customer to request assistance. Assistance may be requiredwhen, for example, a non-bar coded item is to be processed. Thisassistance request may be sent to, and processed at, a supervisoryterminal. The supervisory terminal permits a store employee (i.e., asupervisory employee) to perform a range of supervisory activitiesoverseeing and controlling checkout at the self-checkout stations.Supervisory terminal hardware may include, among other things, a videodisplay used to display video images (e.g., from a video camera or otherimaging device at a checkout station), a touch screen, a POS keyboard, aPC keyboard, a receipt printer, and a cash drawer.

[0005] Supervisory activities include, among others, providingauthorization when a customer is purchasing an item not bearing abarcode (such as produce). Prior to making an authorization, thesupervisor may make a visual identification of the item and input at asupervisory terminal a code identifying the item. Supervisory activitiesalso include making decisions when the checkout station detects adiscrepancy between the actual weight of an item and the expected weightof that item (“weight violation”). Weight violation activities of thesupervisor typically involve either clearing the violation to allow thepurchase or removing the item from the order (hereinafter, “voiding theitem”) and asking the customer to try again. A supervisor may alsoprovide explanations to customers on how to use the checkout station andcheck out items on behalf of the customer, (such as when the items aretoo heavy or too large to be scanned by a fixed barcode reader mountedon the checkout station or when the customer seeks assistance forcompleting the checkout). Additional activities include enabling anddisabling operations at the checkout stations, video surveillance of thecustomer activities, use of a cash drawer to accept cash payment anddispense change, printing a cashier receipt, printing end-of-day,end-of-week and end-of-month reports, and other software or systemmaintenance activities.

[0006] In some self-checkout systems, a video monitoring system may alsobe included to help the supervisor oversee customer checkout activitiesand to assist the customer. A video camera unit at the self-checkoutstation can be used, e.g., to capture an image of a non-bar coded itemfor display at the supervisor station. This allows the supervisoryemployee to view the item and enter the appropriate code.

[0007] A number of different user interface modes can be made availableon the supervisory terminals. For example, the U-Scan Express systemsupports “Direct” and “Mini Direct” interface modes to carry outfunctions such as checkout and voiding of items on behalf of thecustomer. The Direct Mode interface displays a graphical keyboard usinga touch screen at the supervisory terminal. This graphical keyboardreplicates the keyboard at the checkout station. The supervisor user cancarry out most functions normally executed at a cash register by using(touching) the graphical keyboard keys. A special key may be provided toclose Direct Mode and return to normal operations on the supervisoryterminal. Direct Mode allows the supervisor to carry out POS operations,including those not required or supported by a self-checkout system,without leaving physical proximity of the supervisory terminal andwithout having an actual POS terminal mounted on the supervisoryterminal.

[0008] Another supported interface, known as a Mini Direct Modeinterface, uses a display that allows the supervisor to carry out POSoperations such as reporting and other functions which may not besupported by a self-checkout station, while retaining a displayinterface used to supervise the self-checkout stations. A visualindicator (e.g., change of background color on the display) tells theuser that Mini Direct Mode is active. In the Mini Direct Mode, inputfrom an actual POS keyboard, mounted on the supervisory terminal, may beaccepted. The user can carry out substantially all functions normallyavailable at a checkout station by use of the POS keyboard. A specialgraphical key may be provided for closing Mini Direct Mode and returningto normal operations on the supervisory terminal.

[0009] A number of self-checkout systems are described in, e.g., U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,083,638; 5,115,888; 5,123,494; 5,125,465 and 5,168,961.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention provides a self-checkout system. The systemincludes one or more customer members (i.e., checkout stations), and anynumber of supervisory members (i.e., supervisory terminals). Eachsupervisory terminal is operated to conduct a corresponding set ofsupervisory activities over operations at the checkout stations.

[0011] The supervisory terminal has a network interface forcommunicating with at least one checkout station through at least one ofan electrical medium, a radio frequency (RF) medium and an opticalmedium. A self-checkout system can support multiple types of supervisoryterminals, such as fixed supervisory terminals and mobile supervisoryterminals (implemented, e.g., using a hand-held computer coupled to awireless network). In addition, implementations may include specializedsupervisory terminals with limited user input devices. For example, a“pager size” supervisory terminal, small enough to be worn comfortablyby a user, can be used to provide an alerting signal to a storeemployee. The supervisor thus knows when to return to the physicalproximity of the system.

[0012] Multiple supervisory terminal implementations can be madeavailable to allow the supervisory employee to use a selectedsupervisory terminal with the highest convenience or utility under aspecific set of circumstances. The multiple supervisory terminals caninclude a stationary supervisory terminal, specialized stationarysupervisory terminal, a mobile supervisory terminal, and a compactmobile warning supervisory terminal. Each terminal type can be offeredwith a variety of different input and display peripherals. For example,the terminals can include keypads, touch screens, still video and motionvideo input devices, signature capture interfaces, and biometric inputdevices such as fingerprint sensors.

[0013] Different supervisory terminal implementations can provideimproved flexibility for providing supervisory activities over theself-checkout system. For example, if a weight violation occurs at onecheckout station while the supervisor is physically located at anothercheckout station, the supervisor need not walk back to the stationarysupervisory terminal to provide supervisory activity. Instead, thesupervisor may clear the weight violation by swiping a transponder cardin front of a transponder card reader mounted on a specializedstationary terminal located near or on the checkout station. If, at thesame time, a different checkout station requires a non-barcoded itemapproval while the supervisor is still providing support over the weightviolation, the supervisor, with line-of-sight view of the non-barcodeditem, can e.g., pick up a mobile supervisory terminal from his or hershirt pocket to provide the approval.

[0014] A supervisory communications controller can controlcommunications between checkout stations and supervisory terminals toprevent the processing of conflicting supervisory signals (e.g., ifdifferent supervisors at different supervisory terminals enterconflicting control over a customer terminal). Similarly, if a customersignature is required, and the self-checkout station being used by thecustomer does not include an operational signature capture device(either because of device failure or because the station simply lackssignature capture), then a message can be transmitted to one or moremobile stations that do include a signature capture input device and theuser can provide the signature at a mobile supervisory terminal.

[0015] The ability of the supervisor to choose between multiplesupervisory terminals with different physical characteristics allows forquicker response to situations that require supervisor intervention.This can reduce the time spent by the customer at the self-checkoutstation and the time spent by the supervisor on each order. Thiscoordination of supervisory activities also allows the supervisor toreduce idle time spent watching the system while stations are not inuse. This is achieved by selecting the supervisory terminal which meetsthe demand of the situation in terms of movement and efficiency of thehuman-machine interface. For instance, using the mobile warningsupervisory terminal, the supervisor may leave the physical proximity ofthe self-checkout system when customers are not present or when nosupervisor activity is needed. This allows for more efficientutilization of supervisory employee resources.

[0016] Each supervisory terminal in the self-checkout system may providea corresponding one of various combinations of mobility and functionalcompleteness with regards to the set of possible supervisory activities.At any point in time, a supervisory employee may choose from among theavailable supervisory terminals in order to provide a response tosituations that require supervisor intervention.

[0017] In some implementations, such as handheld supervisory terminals,a simplified user interface mode (referred to herein as “Tiny DirectMode”) can be used to process input from a supervisor. The Tiny DirectMode interface is suitable for use with reduced-size input devices. Forexample, a 14-key keypad (including a “Cancel,” a “Void,” a “Clear,” a“Enter” and ten digit keys) can be used. Tiny Direct Mode implements asystem of simple prompts allowing a supervisor to control a range ofcheckout station operations using the reduced-size input device. TinyDirect Mode implementations may process input using the steps of (a)displaying information on why a code entry is required, (b) detectingentry of digits corresponding to a code, (c) detecting a Cancel commandand, when the Cancel command is detected, canceling a current operation,(d) detecting a Void command and, when the Void command is detected,voiding the code, (e) detecting a Clear command and, when the Clearcommand is detected, clearing the digits detected in step (b), and (f)detecting an Enter command and, when the Enter command is detected,entering the digits detected in step (b) as the code.

[0018] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otherfeatures, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIGS. 1 and 2 show block diagrams of self-checkout systems.

[0020]FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a method for providing a mobilesupervisory terminal interface.

[0021]FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of a method for providing supervisorysupport in a self-checkout system.

[0022]FIG. 5 shows an exemplary lane selection screen.

[0023]FIG. 6 shows an exemplary weight violation screen.

[0024]FIG. 7 shows a graphical 14-key keypad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Self-checkout systems 100 of FIG. 1 and 200 of FIG. 2 can includeone or more checkout stations 110-113, 210-213 which are each coupled tomultiple supervisory terminals 126-132, 226-232. Each of the supervisoryterminals can exert supervisory control over the checkout stations.Terminals 126-132, 226-232 can include small terminals 126-129, 226229mounted on or near the checkout station, as well as “full-sized”terminals 130, 230 mobile 131, 231, and pager-sized terminals 132, 232.In some cases, a terminal (e.g., 126-129, 226-229) may have a dedicatedfunction, such as clearing transactions. For example, the terminal 126may have a transponder-card reader allowing a supervisor to simply swipea security card to clear a transaction.

[0026] To coordinate the control of the checkout stations by supervisoryterminals, and to prevent conflicting control instructions, the controlsignals exchanged between the checkout stations and supervisoryterminals are managed by a supervisory communications controller122-125, 222. FIG. 1 shows an implementation in which the controller122-125 is local to each station 110-113, while FIG. 2 shows animplementation in which a centralized controller 222 is used. The localcontroller 122-125 may be an integrated element of the checkoutstation's hardware and software system while the controller 222 may becoupled to the checkout station by a data network (e.g., an Ethernet,Token Ring, or IEEE 802.11b network).

[0027] When supervisory control over a checkout station is required, thecheckout station's signal processor circuitry 114-117, 214-217 (whichmay include, e.g., a microprocessor, data storage and other hardware,software, and associated interfaces) generates a supervisory requestmessage that is transmitted to the supervisory communications controller122-125, 222. The supervisory request message can include dataindicating the nature of the requested supervisory assistance. Forexample, the supervisory request message may include parametersindicating that the message was generated in response to a customerpressing a “Help” button or upon detection of a weight violation at thecheckout station. Other supervisory activities may also be reported. Thecommunications controller then distributes the supervisory requestmessage to the supervisory terminals (in some implementations, themessage format or contents may be modified and message parametersprocessed at the communications controller 122-125, 222 prior to suchdistribution).

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1, the self-checkout system 100 includesboth local supervisory terminals 126-129 and shared terminals 230-232.The local terminals 126-129 are directly connected to a correspondingone of the checkout stations 110-113 via the station's localcommunications controller 122-125, respectively, and can exercisecontrol over the directly connected checkout station. Shared supervisoryterminals 130-132 are each coupled to multiple checkout stations and canswitch between, and assert control over, the multiple checkout stations110-113. When a supervisory action is required at a checkout station,e.g., station 110, signals (i.e., data messages) are sent from thestation's controller 122 to its local terminal 126 as well as to each ofthe shared supervisory terminals 130-132. The signal can be processed atthe supervisory terminal to generate an alert informing a supervisor ofthe need for assistance. The signal may also identify the specificaction requested. In some implementations, the controllers 122-125, 222manage interaction with the multiple supervisory terminals to allow afirst reply from a supervisory terminal to be accepted in response tothe request for assistance.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2, as in system 100, the self-checkoutsystem 200 includes both local supervisory terminals 226-229 and sharedterminals 230-232. However, in the system 200, coordination ofsupervisory activities controlling and assisting customer checkout isprovided using a common centralized communications controller 222 inplace of the multiple local controllers 122-125. The supervisoryterminals 226-232 communicate with the checkout stations 210-213 throughthe central controller 222.

[0030] A communications controller 122-125, 222 can communicate arequest to supervisory terminals 130-132, 230-232 such that the sharedsupervisory terminals 130-132 and 230-232 each receive the request. Todo so, a “broadcast” request may be used. Alternatively a communicationscontroller 122-125 or 222 may generate and send a unique message to eachof the terminals. The controllers 122-125, 222 may also route request tolocal terminals 126-229, 226-229 such that only the terminal directlyconnected to the requesting customer station will receive the request.The controller then waits for a response from a supervisory terminal. Ifresponses are generated by multiple supervisory terminals (e.g., ifmultiple supervisors each attempt to respond), the communicationscontroller will perform an arbitration function to determine theresponse or responses used to control the checkout station. In oneimplementation, the controller may simply accept a response from thefirst responding supervisory terminal. In some cases, additionalresponses may also be accepted if they do not conflict with the firstresponse and are still relevant, but will be ignored if the responsesare no longer relevant (such as a weight violation that has already beencleared). Alternatively, timeout mechanisms may be used to determinewhen an outstanding request is no longer relevant. For example, afterthe first broadcast of a supervisory request message, the controller mayre-broadcast the request every 100 milliseconds until a supervisoryterminal provides a response. If a supervisory terminal does not receiveat least one request from the terminal within a timeout window (e.g., a500 millisecond window), a time-out will occur. That is, the supervisoryterminal will infer that the request was responded to by anothersupervisory terminal and, therefore, will no longer accept inputresponsive to the timed-out request (i.e., the request will be removedfrom a list of outstanding request maintained by the supervisoryterminal). In the case of system 100, the supervisory terminalscommunicate responses directly back to the checkout station'scommunications controller while in the system 200 responses flow backthrough the central controller 222.

[0031] As an example, a broadcast request message may be distributed tosupervisory terminals 126 and 130-132, thereby alerting multiplesupervisors of the customer's need for assistance. After the broadcastrequest is transmitted, the controller 122 will wait for a first one ofthe supervisory terminals to respond to the request (i.e., to accept therequest). In some implementations, upon receiving notice of an acceptedbroadcast request from a first terminal (e.g., terminal 132), thecontroller 122 may send a message to non-accepting terminals (e.g., 126,130-131) canceling the outstanding broadcast request. This prevents anoutdated supervisory request from remaining displayed at thenon-accepting terminals 126, 130-131. Once a broadcast request isaccepted by a terminal, the controller 122 may store data identifyingthe accepting supervisory terminal to thereafter manage the flow of databetween the customer checkout station 110 and that supervisory terminal.

[0032] Supervisory activity over a checkout station can also beinitiated at any of the shared supervisory terminals 130-132, 230-232 orat a checkout station's local supervisory terminals 126-129, 226-229.This may be done without the need for a request for supervisory activityfrom the checkout station. Control of a checkout station may beinitiated at a supervisory terminal using a switch, button, softwarefunctions or other checkout station selector to select the checkoutstation under control. For example, FIG. 5, described below, shows aninterface allowing selection of one of four checkout lanes (i.e.,checkout stations) to be controlled. The supervisory terminal willthereafter initiate contact with the checkout systems to be controlled.In the system 100, the supervisory terminal 130-132 will initiatecommunication directly with the controller 122-125 of the selectedstation 110-113. In a centralized controller system 200, the terminal126-132 will communicate the request to the controller 222 which willthereafter coordinate supervisory activity and will initiate and providethe communication of signals between the supervisory terminal and thecorresponding checkout station 210-213. In some implementations, asupervisor may switch between checkout stations being controlled at anypoint in time using the checkout station selector.

[0033] Different controller implementations may use differentalgorithms, or modes, to distribute and coordinate signals among thesupervisory terminals and the checkout stations. In someimplementations, all supervisory terminals can be active at the sametime. Thus, the supervisory employee can use any one without constraintsor delays. Any supervisory terminal can also be disabled to preventpassers-by from making unauthorized or inadvertent use of the system. Inaddition, the supervisory employee can enable a disabled terminal beforeusing it. Activation can be explicit, such as by use of a key or entryof a password, or may be implicit, such as by swiping a transponder ormagnetic card at a reader on terminal 126-129, 226-229 to void an item.

[0034] The supervisory terminals have input devices (e.g., keypads,touch screens, buttons or switches), used by the supervisor to start andstop using the terminal. The input generates corresponding signals to bereceived by the supervisory communications controllers 122-126, 222 overa communications network 101, 201. In response, the communicationscontroller can either accept input from the supervisory terminal orreject the attempt to connect (the particular response may depend on thecurrent mode of operation). Controller 122-126, 222 and system 100, 200implementations may support different modes of coordination among thecheckout stations and supervisory terminals. Representative modes ofcoordination include simultaneous, mutually exclusive, preemptive andmixed.

[0035] In a simultaneous coordination mode, all supervisory terminals inthe self-checkout system 100, 200 may be active for use. Accordingly,there is no specific signal generated when the supervisor decides toswitch between them. In a mutually exclusive mode, only one supervisoryterminal is active to control a checkout station at a time. Thus, in themutually exclusive mode, a supervisory terminal can accept and processcommands for a checkout station only when no other supervisory terminalis active to control that checkout station. A display or other visualindicator to indicate the state of the terminal as active or inactivecan also be included. Preemptive mode is a variation of the mutuallyexclusive mode. In the preemptive mode, an attempt to activate onesupervisory terminal causes the controller 122-126, 222 to attempt todeactivate any currently active supervisory terminal. This attempt mayfail (i.e., the controller 122-126, 222 may reject this attempt) if thecurrently active supervisory terminal is processing an activity thatcannot be interrupted and declines the attempt. A mixed mode isessentially either a mutually exclusive mode or a preemptive mode withthe feature that certain other specific supervisory terminals may beallowed to be active simultaneously. For example, a mixed mode may beentered for a compact mobile warning supervisory terminal 132 to warnthe supervisor of the beginning of customer activity at a checkoutstation 110.

[0036] Specialized stationary supervisory member 126-129, 226-229 may beprovided for circumstances in which the supervisor is, for example, inphysical proximity to the checkout station. A supervisor may useterminals 126-129, 226-229 by, e.g., swiping a transponder card in orderto authorize a weight violation. Other input devices such as a keypad orkeyswitch may also be used in a terminal 126-129, 226-229. In someimplementations, for example, in FIG. 1, each terminal 126-129, 226-229may be dedicated to providing support over a specific checkout station.In other implementations, the terminals 126-129, 226-229 may controlmultiple checkout stations.

[0037] The systems 100, 200 can support a range of supervisory terminaltypes, each of which may provide different sets of functions. Forexample, full-function stationary terminals 130, 230, mobile terminals131, 231, and special-function compact pager-like terminals 132, 232 canbe used. The mobile supervisory terminal 131, 231 may be based on alaptop or hand-held, battery-powered computer with a barcode reader, atouch screen, a sound generator and wireless communications capability.A compact mobile warning supervisory terminal 132, 232 may also beprovided. The features supported by a particular terminal type can varydepending, e.g., on size, cost, power, convenience, security, or otherreasons.

[0038] A compact mobile warning supervisory terminal 132, 232 may beimplemented using a pager-sized device. A pager-sized terminal 132, 232is battery powered and communicates wirelessly with the self checkoutsystem via wireless network interface 101, 201. In some cases, eachcommunication controller 122-125, 222 may also have an interface to astandard pager network allowing signals exchanged over a conventionalpager network to be used. Terminals 132, 232 may have the ability todisplay a small string of text, or may include a vibrating or otheraudio/visual device. e.g., an indication of operations at theself-checkout system. Indications may be generated, e.g., upon use of acheckout station or on request for supervisory activity from a checkoutstation 110. The pager-sized device may be used, e.g., for generalsurveillance purposes (e.g., to alert a supervisor of activity when thesupervisor is not in physical proximity to a checkout station).

[0039] In some implementations, a supervisory terminal may be equippedwith a relatively limited selection of interface devices. For example, amobile or pager-sized device may use the reduced-sized keypad of FIG. 7rather than a full-sized POS keyboard. In such implementations, thesystem 100, 200 may provide context-sensitive prompting to support arange of supervisory inputs using the keypad 700. FIGS. 3 and 4illustrate supervisory control processes that can be used to processsupervisory inputs using a terminal with a reduced-sized input device.

[0040]FIGS. 3 and 4 are flow charts showing data processing steps thatmay be used in implementations of a system 100, 200 to processsupervisory data and control checkout stations. The processes 300, 400are suitable for use with limited display and input capabilitysupervisory terminals. For example, a terminal using a simple touchscreen interface may be used. FIGS. 5-7 show representative touch-screeninterface displays that can be used on a handheld mobile terminal. Theprocesses 300, 400 enable display of supervisory request to, andprocessing of inputs by, a supervisor, using the displays 500, 600, 700.

[0041] The processes 300 is initiated when the supervisory terminal isactivated (i.e., when it is turned on). An initial step performed by theterminal is to determine whether intervention of a supervisor isrequired (step 301). This determination may be made, e.g., based on dataexchanged with communication controller 122-126, 222 to determinewhether there are any outstanding supervisory request. If interventionis not required, a lane (i.e., checkout station) selection screen 500may be displayed, allowing the supervisor to initiate control over acheckout station. On the other hand, if supervisory intervention isrequired, a message requesting intervention is displayed at thesupervisory terminals (step 302). The terminal may then display the laneselection screen 500 allowing the supervisor to accept the request or toinitiate control of a different terminal (step 303). If there is anoutstanding intervention request, a text display area 501 of the screen500 may display an indication of the request.

[0042] If there is an outstanding request, then, using keys 700 on theterminal, the supervisor can either ignore the request, select the laneto be serviced, select an alternative lane to control, or close theprogram (i.e., reject the request)(step 304). If the supervisor rejectsthe request (i.e., selects a “close the program” function or reject key)(step 305), a corresponding signal is sent to the controller 122-126,222 and the terminal is returned to a normal operations mode. In someimplementations, the controller 122-126, 222 may route a rejectedrequest to a different one of the supervisory terminals or re-initiatethe request.

[0043] On the other hand, if the supervisor accepts a request forservice from a lane, the terminal determines whether the request relatesto a simple transaction, such as a weight violation, that can bedisplayed and responded to using a fixed display interface, or whethermore complex prompting will be needed (step 306). If, for example, thereis a weight violation, a weight violation screen 600 (FIG. 6) isdisplayed (step 308). The interface 600 may remain displayed until theviolation is cleared by the customer or from another supervisoryterminal (step 309). Clearing of the violation by another can bedetermined based on messages exchanged between the terminal andcontroller 122-126, 222. A supervisory response, including selecting an“Override” or “Later” function, can be entered using interface 600. If“Override” is selected (step 310), a signal is sent to the controller122-126, 222 to override the weight violation (step 311). If theviolation was already cleared or after the supervisor selects “Later” or“Override”, processing resumes at step 301. In some implementations,other requests may be processed using simple display screens, such asused for weight violation processing.

[0044] If a request does not relate to a simple transaction requiringonly simple input (such as a weight violation), a “Tiny Direct Mode”interface may be invoked (step 307). The “Tiny Direct Mode” interfaceprovides for context-sensitive prompting, allowing a range ofsupervisory functions to be executed using relatively simple input anddisplay devices. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing 400 that maybe used in Tiny Direct Mode. Inputs required in the Tiny Direct Modeprocess 400 may be made using a keypad such as the 14-key keypad 700(FIG. 7). Tiny Direct Mode compensates for the limited inputcapabilities of keypad 700 by displaying short, context-sensitive, textprompts to indicate functions that may be accessed at a particular stagein processing.

[0045] Keypad 700 may be a traditional keypad or a graphical keypaddisplayed on a touch screen. In one implementation, keypad 700 includesten digit keys, as well as an “Enter,” “Clear”, “Void”, and “Cancel”key. The “Enter” key confirms operations and can be used to exit TinyDirect Mode, the “Clear” key can be used to clear the last enterednumber, the “Void” key can be used to accelerate frequent activitiessuch as voiding items, and the “Cancel” key can be used to interrupt orcease operations in progress. Other variations of this keypad include,for example, labeling the keys in other languages, or providing labelsin different languages on each of the keys.

[0046] Returning now to FIG. 4, when Tiny Direct Mode is invoked, thesupervisor terminal displays the 14-key keypad shown in FIG. 4 as wellas a lane number (shown in upper left corner 701) indicating the lanebeing serviced (step 401). Context information indicating to thesupervisor the input that is required is also displayed (step 402). Thecontext information may be a simple text string displayed in, e.g., thetop right corner 702. The context information may be, for example, asimple text string such as “Enter PLU” when a produce look-up code isrequired for a non-barcoded item.

[0047] Keypad entry is then accepted (step 403) until either the “Enter”(step 404), “Cancel” (step 411), “Void” (step 412), or “Clear” (step414) key is pressed, or a barcode is scanned (step 410). As digits areentered, they can be buffered by the terminal and displayed in thedisplay area 702.

[0048] If the “Enter” key is pressed (step 404), the terminal determineswhether any data (i.e., digits 0-9) was entered (step 405). If not, theterminal determines (based on the type of supervisory request) whetherdata entry is mandatory (step 406). If data entry is mandatory, a beepis emitted (steps 407) and input processing may be resumed at step 403.Otherwise the process 400 is ended and a cancel signal sent to thecontroller 122-126, 222.

[0049] If data is entered, or a barcode scanned (step 410), the systemdetermines whether the data is valid in the context of processing thesupervisory request. If the data is valid for the current context, thedata is sent to the controller 122-125, 222 (step 409) and thesimplified supervisory mode is terminated. If the data is not valid forthe current context, a beep is emitted (step 407) and the interfacereturns to accept additional input (step 403). In some implementations,a scanned barcode (step 410) will supersede any data entered by keypad.

[0050] If the “Cancel” button is pressed (step 411), the simplified mode400 is terminated. If the button pressed is “Void” (step 412), themessage “Scan Item to Void” is displayed in the context information area702 (step 413). If the “Clear” button is pressed, the number currentlydisplayed in area 702 (entered by pressing the digit keys) is cleared,and the user resumes input (step 403).

[0051]FIG. 8 shows a data flow for a identity capture processimplemented using a mobile supervisory terminal. The process 800 may beused, e.g., to complete a credit payment transaction requiring captureof a customer's signature or other customer identification. The process800 may be initiated after the customer has self-checked items forpurchase and has indicated that that payment for a purchase is to bemade using a credit account.

[0052] The process 800 begins with the receipt of a supervisory requestmessage at a mobile terminal. Steps 301-305 of FIG. 8 are directed to alane selection operation and may be implemented in a manner that issubstantially identical to that described with respect to steps 301-305of FIG. 3. Following lane selection, the terminal determines whether thesupervisory request message is related to identification capture (step806). If the request was not for an identification capture, the terminalwill proceed with other appropriate processing (step 807). For example,if appropriate, the terminal may proceed at the processing step 306 ofFIG. 3.

[0053] If a supervisory request is for an identification capture, anappropriate display or control interface is displayed (step 808). In thecase of a signature capture, the interface may resemble the interfacescreen 900 of FIG. 9. The interface 900 allows a user to input asignature by writing on a touch-sensitive display screen. In the case ofa video image identification, the terminal may include an miniatureintegrated video camera and the display screen may be a window showing apreview of a captured image. In the case of a fingerprint captureterminal, the interface may instruct a user to place a finger on afingerprint sensor integrated with the terminal. Still other interfacesmay be used.

[0054] If the customer identification data is successfully captured(e.g., as indicated by selecting the “O.K.” button 901), the data can bereturned to the store controller or the self checkout station (step809-810). Upon successful receipt of the identification data, thecontroller may complete processing of the credit transaction and storethe captured identification data in a database for future verificationpurposes (i.e., as proof of customer authorization). On the other hand,if the identification data was not successfully captured (e.g., due to atimeout or selection of the “cancel” button 902) (step 809, 811), acapture failure message is returned to the controller. The controllermay then perform exception processing, such as requesting a differentform of payment from the customer, displaying an alert message on asupervisory terminal, or re-initiating a capture operation at adifferent supervisory terminal.

[0055] Various changes and modifications to the processes 300, 400, 800may be used. For example, the interface may return in all cases toaccept more input instead of returning to normal operations, except when“Cancel” is pressed. Display of the weight violation screen 600 may bereplaced by entry into the simplified supervisory mode 400 in a weightviolation context. Thus, pressing “Enter” would authorize the scanneditem and pressing “Cancel” would cause the mobile supervisory terminalinterface to exit the simplified supervisory mode and to return tonormal interface operation.

[0056] Various hardware and software components can be used to implementthe systems 100, 200 and the claimed inventions. The invention may beimplemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware,firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Apparatus of theinvention may be implemented in a computer program product tangiblyembodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by aprogrammable processor; and method steps of the invention may beperformed by a programmable processor executing a program ofinstructions to perform functions of the invention by operating on inputdata and generating output. The invention may advantageously beimplemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processorcoupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data andinstructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, andat least one output device. Each computer program may be implemented ina high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or inassembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the languagemay be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include,by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors.Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from aread-only memory and/or a random access memory. Storage devices suitablefor tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data includeall forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of examplesemiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memorydevices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks;magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM disks. Any of the foregoing may besupplemented by, or incorporated in, specially-designed ASICs(application-specific integrated circuits).

[0057] A number of embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed. Nevertheless, it will be understood that variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. For example, network interfaces 101, 201 connectingcontroller 122-126, 222 to supervisory terminals may use standardnetworks, such as Ethernet and IEEE 802.11b data networks, as well asproprietary networks and may also include multiple network types. Thus,other wired and/or wireless electrical connections (e.g. infrared, radiofrequency, and others) and chip-level connections can be used. Thecontrollers therefore, may have a number of connections of differenttypes to accommodate all of the communication protocols among thesupervisory terminals. Steps of processes 300, 400 may be performed indifferent orders, additional steps may be added, or some removed.Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-checkout system comprising: aself-checkout station configured for customer-operated self-checkout ofitems for purchase; a mobile data terminal comprising a wireless networkinterface and an identification capture interface; and a controlleroperatively coupled to the mobile terminal and to the self-checkoutstation, said controller being configured to send data over a wirelessnetwork to the mobile terminal instructing the mobile terminal toinitiate a identification capture operation, said identification captureoperation being related to a self-checkout transaction.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein: the self-checkout station is one of a plurality ofself-checkout stations and the mobile terminal is operatively coupled tothe plurality of self-checkout stations; the data sent to the mobileterminal to initiate the identification capture comprises dataidentifying at least one self-checkout station for which identificationcapture is to be performed.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein theidentification capture operation captures a user-identificationcomprising identification data other than an alpha-numeric keypad input.4. The system of claim 3 wherein the user-identification furthercomprises an alpha-numeric keypad input.
 5. The system of claim 3wherein the identification capture interface comprises a signaturecapture interface and the identification data comprises a representationof a captured signature.
 6. The system of claim 3 wherein theidentification capture interface comprises an interface selected fromthe group consisting of a biometric data capture interface and an imagecapture interface.
 7. The system of claim 3 wherein initiatingidentification capture comprises displaying on the mobile terminal aself-checkout station selection interface.
 8. The system of claim 3wherein: the controller is one of a plurality of controllers; eachself-checkout station comprises a co-located one of the plurality ofcontrollers; and each of the controllers is operatively coupled to thedata terminal.
 9. The system of claim 3, wherein: the controller is ashared controller operatively coupled to each of the plurality ofcheckout stations; and the controller is configured to administeridentification capture for multiple ones of the plurality ofself-checkout stations.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein: the mobiledata terminal is one of a plurality of supervisory terminals; a firstone of the supervisory terminals is operatively coupled to thecontroller by a wireless data network; and a second one of thesupervisory terminals is operatively coupled to the controller by awired data network.
 11. The system of claim 2, wherein the mobile dataterminal is a battery operated mobile supervisory device.
 12. The systemof claim 2 wherein the mobile data terminal comprises a card readerconfigured to clear a weight violation at the checkout station inresponse to a reading of an authorization card.
 13. The system of claim3, wherein: the mobile data terminal and the controller interoperate toperform a plurality of supervisory functions associated with customerself-checkout at the checkout station; the supervisory functionscomprise processing of a payment transaction comprising anidentification capture operation.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein:the payment transaction comprises a payment type selected from the groupconsisting of a credit card payment, a debit card payment, and anelectronic funds transfer payment; and the identification captureoperation comprises receiving a signature input at the mobile dataterminal.
 15. A method for providing supervisory support in a customerself-checkout system, the method comprising: monitoring operation of aself-checkout station; detecting a request for an identification captureoperation related to a self-checkout transaction at the checkoutstation; transmitting the request for the identification captureoperation to a mobile supervisory station; coordinating communicationbetween the mobile supervisory station and a controller to process theidentification capture operation in furtherance of the self-checkouttransaction.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising: monitoringoperation of the checkout station to detect request for processing ofone of a plurality of supervisory functions associated with operation ofthe checkout station; and exchanging data with the mobile supervisorystation to perform the processing of the one of the supervisoryfunctions.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein processing theidentification capture operation comprises capturing identification dataother than a alpha-numeric keypad input.
 18. The method of claim 17wherein the captured identification data comprises data representing asignature received at a signature capture interface that is integralwith the mobile supervisory station.
 19. The method of claim 15, whereinthe mobile supervisory station is one of a plurality of supervisorystations; coordinating communication further comprises coordinatingcommunication between the controller and other ones of the supervisorystations such that an identification capture operation is initiated atmultiple ones of the supervisory stations; receiving at a communicationscontroller a response from a first one of the supervisory stationsindicating completion of an identification capture operation at thefirst one of the supervisory stations; in response to completion of theidentification capture operation at the first one of the supervisorystations, canceling outstanding identification capture operationsinitiated at other ones of the self-checkout stations.
 20. A method ofprocessing input at a supervisory terminal in a self-checkout systemusing a handheld supervisory device, the method comprising: receiving asupervisory request at a handheld supervisory device, the supervisoryrequest indicating identification capture is required to furtherprocessing of a self-checkout transaction a self-checkout station;processing the supervisory request to determine a sequence of processingsteps associated with receipt of user identification data responsive tothe supervisory request, where the user identification data comprisesidentification data uniquely associated with user input characteristics.21. The method of claim 20, wherein the user identification datacomprises a representation of a handwriting sample input at ahandwriting input device.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein thehandwriting sample comprises a user signature.
 23. The method of claim22 wherein the supervisory request is generated in response to apurchase payment transaction and the method further comprises storingthe representation of the handwriting sample in a database as a recordof payment authorization.